1st Test – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Fantasy Preview

After the conclusion of One-day International Tri-Series, Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh continue with two match test series which starts with the first match in Chittagong on Wednesday. Sri Lanka had a last laugh during the Tri-series while the hosts Bangladesh finished the limited overs series with some back-foot. Both teams are eager to win the longer format series, hopes for some entertaining 5 days cricket. The 1st test between Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka schedule to start at 9:30 AM Local | 9 AM IST on Wednesday, 31st January 2018.

BANGLADESH :

Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced 16-man squad for the 1st test in this home series. Shakib al hasan was named as captain in the original squad but after the injury he got in the Final of tri-series recently, he had been ruled out for the 1st Test. On the absence of Shakib, all-rounder Mahmudullah takes a responsibilities of leading the team. Bangladesh’s last test match was against South Africa which played in October, last year. The regular Tamim Iqbal did not play that last test due to injury but he is fit and will come to the test side to open the innings. His opening partner will be Imrul Kayes. Both of them are very good test players, particularly at home, so we can expect really some good performances from them. Mominul Haque used to be a part of playing XI in both home and away tests in recent times. He is expected to take a place at no.3 in the batting order. Former captain Mushfiqur Rahim who gone under lot of criticism after that disastrous test series against South Africa few months ago, now will play as the batsman without any extra pressure. He had a good tri-series recently and will look to regain some good form in test cricket too.

The new role of captaincy will testify Mahmudullah’s ability in this test. He had an average test series against South Africa but that was away series. He always come with good performances at home and his contribution in the Final of Tri-series will give him a confident to play well in this test. Liton Das took care of wicket-keeper’s duty against South Africa and he has an amount of possibility to do the same in this series too. There were no place for Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain in the squad, therefore Mosaddek Hossain who made his test debut against Sri Lanka last year, will get an opportunity to play his second test match. He was very impressive on his debut and scored 75 runs on his debut innings. Bangladesh generally plays with lot of spin options at home test series, but this time they are expected to play with 2 main pacers and 2 spinners. Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain are their front-line pace options for this test match. Both Mustafizur and Rubel had an amazing moments in the recently concluded ODI tri-series. They will take that momentum to the longer format too. Kamrul Islam Rabbi is also in the squad as a third seamer. Possibilities are less for him to get a game in Chittagong. There are plenty of spin-options in the squad, like Mehidy Hasan, Abdur Razzak, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan and Sunzamul Islam. Among all of them, Mehidy Hasan could be the first choice option for Bangladesh. He did a very good job at home and will continue to offer the same. Taijul Islam was part of the XI against both Australia and South Africa. He had a good outings in first-class matches recently and that might help him to get a place in the XI. But, he has to fight with the veteran Abdur Razzak for that place in the XI.

SRI LANKA :

After all those tough moments in 2017, finally Sri Lankan players had some relief after winning that ODI tri-series in Bangladesh few days ago. Sri Lanka’s last test series was against India in India during November-December 2017. As we all know, Sri Lanka lost that series but they had lot of good moments too. Sri Lankan bowlers outplayed India in the first test and their batsmen saved the last test with some amazing performances. As Sri Lanka heading towards this test series after a glory in limited overs, Chandimal led-side will go with lot of confidence. Former captain Angelo Mathews is not available for this test match due to hamstring injury. Dimuth Karunaratne opened the innings along with Sadeera Samarawickrama in the series against India. But Samarawickrama not picked for this tour, so Danushka Gunathilaka is a front-runner to seal the place at top of the order. Roshen Silva is the other opening option for Sri Lanka. Dananjaya de Silva who played a match saving knock of 119 runs in the second innings of third test against India, deserves a place in the XI. Kusal Mendis was dropped for India tour, but now he is back in the squad. Mendis performed somehow better in the second half of Tri-series recently and he is set to replace Angelo Mathews in the playing XI.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal had a good series against India and scored 200 runs in 2 innings of the last test. He is a key player and with an experience he has, Chandimal will play a huge role in this game. Niroshan Dickwell will continue to take care wicket-keeper’s job along with lower middle-order batting. He generally bats at 6 or 7 in the longer format and he will play an important knocks at that position once again. The most experienced Rangana Herath returned to the squad after sidelined with an injury during India series. He is the major impact bowler of Sri Lanka and in Bangladesh nothing going to change. Bowling all-rounder and the regular member of test side, Dilruwan Perera keeps his place in the squad and his all-round performances will be a key factor in this test. Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan may compete for a third spinner place in the XI. If Akila gets a game, he will make a debut but as Sandakan performed well for the team in the past, he has a bright chance to be in the XI. The new vice-captain Suranga Lakmal had an amazing test series against India. Now, he has to prove that he is the major bowler in the team by picking most of the wickets possible in this series. Dushmantha Chameera’s stunning performances in the second half of tri-series, might take him back to test XI ahead of Lahiru Gamage.

Cricket is what everyone loves. If you’re ready to play fantasy cricket but don’t know how to analyze players, consider his Articles as the foundation of your fantasy teams. Anand is a cricket blogger and fantasy cricket lover.

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